Day Seven of Sixty Searching for a Job or Losing my Sanity; Which will Happen First?

I had a job interview yesterday morning. I was interviewed by a surly, egotistical “VP” who was approximately 12 years-old. May I say that my resume was vetted and that I passed two tests before they moved me along the employment chain to the goal of the first interview.

I had the immediate uncomfortable feeling that he had dismissed me based on age discrimination. I am a forty-something year-young professional. I’d done my homework, had studied their history, case studies, networks. This #6 rated faster growing company had a small and narrow office space framed by two windows at either end of the office. The windows were extremely dirty and covered with the frenzy and grime that Manhattan can generate while accomplishing all that is accomplished within her parameters. My prospective employer slouched during the entire interview and seemed genuinely disinterested in a candidate that they had spent a lot of time and money to qualify. I presented him with a partial list of my agency contacts and accounts that I’ve been cultivating. When I asked if I would have the opportunity to continue with the interviewing process he said yes and that I would be meeting with the General Manager next.

I returned to my home office, relieved and encouraged and fired off an email thanking him and the recruiter for their time, reiterating why I would be the best candidate. This morning I received a form e-mail stating that despite my impressive background they had decided not to pursue my candidacy. Age discrimination? I wrote back that I would appreciate additional feedback. None was forthcoming.

I donned my pink boxing gloves and went to the gym where I vented my frustration with a combination of boxing and kick boxing moves. How did we come to the point where we, as a culture, accept such rudeness as the norm? I believe that I was entitled to a response and some constructive criticism. Perhaps they had no criticism. Perhaps I was highly qualified for the job but they wanted someone younger, blonder, sexier.

Searching for the right job in this slumbering economy is arduous and deflating. Ultimately it boils down to attraction, like anything else. Either a person feels that they want to work with you, or they don’t. Qualifications, contacts, experience, don’t necessarily matter in this economy. The candidates who are passed over are possibly lumped into Romney’s 47% who feel entitled to government aid, don’t want to pull their weight.

So I’m on to my next interview, my next contact, my next application. I answered an ad for the OWN network today. Now that would be a dream job. I could participate in a vision and enterprise that deeply resonates with my core beliefs.

I’m deserve to have a challenging job that inspires me. That was supposed to be a part of the smudged American Dream.